Red IPA

Red IPA is a style that merges the hop-forward profile of an American IPA with the rich, malty flavors of caramel and toffee often found in amber or red ales. The history of the Red IPA is relatively recent, having evolved as a distinct style only as brewers began experimenting with more diverse malt bills within the popular IPA category. The result is a beer that offers a deeper malt complexity while still showcasing modern, usually American, hop varieties.

In appearance, this style presents a color range that varies from light reddish-amber to dark copper or brownish-red, often exhibiting brilliant clarity with an off-white to cream-colored head that can display both persistence and lacing. The red hues come from the use of specialty malts such as caramel or crystal malts which not only contribute color but also add sweetness and body.

It delivers a punchy hop presence typical of standard IPAs, characterized by citrusy, piney, floral or fruity notes depending on the hop varieties used. This hop dominance hits both on the nose and palate but is balanced by moderate to strong malt flavors that provide sweetness reminiscent of caramel and sometimes hints of toasted bread or dark fruit. Though undeniably hop-centered like any IPA variant, in this style there's more emphasis on malt balance than you'd find in paler examples. Bitterness is typically firm but smooth and should integrate well with the rich maltiness without completely overshadowing it. Overall, think of Red IPAs as somewhat bridging the gap between bold American IPAs and malty red ales – they are complex and layered yet undeniably aligned with their IPA roots due to their pronounced hoppiness.